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Post by kainslie on Oct 20, 2010 16:30:10 GMT -5
Would this be an okay cage if it get's modified? calgary.kijiji.ca/c-pets-accessories-Large-Bird-Cage-W0QQAdIdZ235093795I would be about the same price as the ferret nation, but a little cheaper, but i think it's bigger. The dimensions are - Total height 5'7 total cage 4'1. Length 3'1 half. Wide 2'1 If I wanted to modify this, what would I need to do? or watch out for?
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 20, 2010 20:11:22 GMT -5
To modify it, you'd need at least one full floor on the bottom, in case they figure out that pan slides out. Some way to hang hammocks, bedding, etc. Most likely a couple of platforms for their food and water bowls. They'll need a play area. Not sure how large those doors are. If they aren't big enough for the litter pan(s), you'd either have to have new, larger ones made, or lift the entire thing off the base at least weekly. Size wise, with those dimensions, it sounds big enough. I guess you'd have to see it in person to know just how sturdy it is.
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Post by Kerit on Oct 21, 2010 8:18:50 GMT -5
Pretty sure that's this: www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+10346+5065+9288&pcatid=9288Get the Ferret Nation. My original crew of three lived in similar flight cage for a couple weeks, and it's not worth it. My mother was ready to buy the FN herself, and she only took care of them for me a few times! The FN needs no modifications... it's dang near perfect right out of the box. With the bird cage, you'll be scraping poo and food out of all the tiny corners and grooves, and even the larger doors aren't big enough for a decent litter box. I had to use plastic zip-ties to attach shelves, which mean they have to be cut down again every time you need to wash it, because it's practically impossible to reach in and wipe it all down. And the whole thing is attached to the base... no disassembling possible. The pan isn't meant to hold weight; it just sits in a little channel and will have to be fixed in place somehow. The closely-spaced bars are a pain to get some hammock clips through. IF it were the type that the entire front panel opens, and IF it were under fifty bucks... then I'd say sure, go for it. But in this case, spend your money on the FN!
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 21, 2010 9:34:15 GMT -5
By the time you modify the bird cage, you'll have as much $$ into it as buying the FN. the drawbacks will be as follows:
1. cost - you may end up with MORE $$ into the bird cage than the FN by the time you fix up the cage.
2. safety - when you modify cages by adding solid floors, shelves, etc. a lot of times you end up with something that's prone to pinching little toes between cage bars and the floor, etc.
3. Cleaning - if you use wood for floors and cover them with vinyl or plastic/plexiglass, there will be no lip/edge to the shelf to contain accidents. Urine will drip off the edge of the shelves/floors and wick into the wood. The wood will stink. The only way to get rid of the stink is to replace the shelves/floor The bird cage will be REALLY hard to clean. you have to lean into a smaller ? opening to reach back 3 feet. (you can seal the sides of the floor with caustic varnish/paint (latex will not hold up). But the shelves will emit fumes for months. the helves may need periodic re-coating
4. Functionality. If you put in shelves or a second floor, you'll have no place to hang hammock on the floor below it. You'll need to put in screw-in eye hooks to hook up your hammocks. You'll need enough of them to accommodate various ize piece of bedding styles. This means you'll need a wooden shelve/ floor to screw the eye hooks into. (Stink)
4. aesthetics- the cage will never look pretty - especially once the wood gets dirty.
5. Satisfaction - in the long run, you'll be mush happier with the FN cage. I've modified cages before, and I'll tell you that yes, you can do it, but you'll end up re-modeling for safety and cleaning reasons. You'll get stick of dealing with cleaning issues. Unless the cost difference is HUGE, I recommend getting the FN cage. You'll be happier in the long-run (probably even in the short-run once you start the modifications)
-jennifer
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Post by mjohn143 on Oct 21, 2010 18:12:50 GMT -5
a 2 level ferret nation can be ordered from ferret.com for $199.00 with $5.99 shipping and handling. i really really recommend you get the FN over the bird cage.
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Post by kainslie on Oct 22, 2010 12:35:30 GMT -5
I'm in canada, Ferret.com doesn't ship here sadly.
I might make a road trip to the states but i'm not sure yet. I went to the only place that has them and they said they are clearancing everything ferret related and what they have left is all they're getting.. sadly the FN cage was gone!! (sherry this is at petsmart!) I hope this woman had incorrect info.
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Post by horse656 on Oct 22, 2010 13:54:17 GMT -5
i know, i can't find any FN cages any more. petsmart, or other pet stores, and most places don't ship to canada.
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Post by Heather on Oct 22, 2010 22:41:59 GMT -5
I'm hoping to be picking up a ferret nation 142 in the next week. Someone, who knew I might be interested asked me if I wanted hers. I grabbed it. ciao
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 23, 2010 1:37:50 GMT -5
They'd told me that before as well, kainslie. We got our first one up at the Sarcee North one. But I was browsing in the one on McLeod one day, and saw the tag up for the FN's Call around to the different Petsmarts- someone might have one in stock for you!
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 23, 2010 18:41:52 GMT -5
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 24, 2010 18:24:31 GMT -5
It's gone already- just looked And Edmonton is about 280 miles from Calgary! Although the day trip would be worth it for the FN!!!
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Post by kainslie on Oct 24, 2010 21:31:31 GMT -5
Thanks Jennifer!!
and Sherry, I think I got it! (So they say!) so I hope that's why it's down or is saying sold! and I'm lucky, my fiance's brother's girlfriend (wait, did that make sense? ha!) lives up there, and so he's there right now =] and said he'd bring it home for me =]
At first I asked them the price they wanted to sell it at and they told me $400! and I instantly was like, umm, sorry I can go to the store and get a NEW one at $300.. and said I was looking for one between 150-175 so then they said 160. That's a good deal right? hah
I'm so happy =] I can't wait.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 24, 2010 21:43:53 GMT -5
OH WOW!!! How freaking exciting I had no idea if this would be "close enough" to be feasible. I kept searching for these cages in different ways.....all I kept seeing was "want ads" rather than "for sale" ads. I'm amazed that this is all working out so perfectly!!!! -jennifer
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Post by kainslie on Oct 24, 2010 23:24:32 GMT -5
For some ridiculous reason, I didn't even think of trying edmonton, I tried devon (15 mins outta edmonton where my BiL in staying) but not there.. duhhh. hah
Yeah I was thinking of making a wanted ad, since everyone else was doing it hah
Quick question, should they disassemble it completely, and i can rebuild it here at home, or should they seperate it into two parts? I'm not sure how big each part is, but I think my BIL is driving his car (but his girlfriend is coming down in a SUV like vehicle also I think..) so would it fit assembled into a vehicle?
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 24, 2010 23:57:57 GMT -5
The cages are pretty big - it will all have to do with the car and the opening to the car. I'm thinking you may need to separate the levels.
Bring some good screwdrivers (phillips head type and straight type of various sizes.
-jennifer
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